FARMERS UNION.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 May 1910, Page 3

FARMERS UNION.

THE PROVrXCIAL CONFERENCE. REMITS ADOPTED. The following remits have, been adopted by the Wellington Provincial Farmers' Tnion, which is now sitting at Marton :— Tliiit the Government be asked ito amend the Laud Act so as to give all Crown tenants the option of purchasing tho freehold of their lands - bush lands at the original value and the difference between tho 4 per cent, now charged on the lease-iu-perpetiiity and the. 5 n«>r cent, charged to tenants w it'll the right of purchase. Settlement, ln.nds at ,'i fair actuarial valuation. That the settlement of all future Crown Lands shall carry the right of purchase with limitations of area. "That this conference is in favour of taxation being raised on the unimproved value rather than on the capital value, and that land valuations be made periodically in less than four-year intervals, and that the Government be asked to instruct their valuators to allow fair and reasonable allowances on the improvements which has not hitherto lieeu the case." '''I bat the time has arrived when Maori lands should be placed in the same position as tho lands of Eurous. subject to the same rates and taxes, and with c-qual freedom to dispose of their lands by sale or lease, with certain reservations." "That when, permanent Government reserves adjoin private holdings ('freehold or leasehold) the Lund. Department should pay half the cost of fencing and keeping the fencing in repair. ' On the motion of Mr A. R.Mayo (Feihling): "That all Land .Hoards consist of five members—to be elected by the C/own tenants, the Government, to appoint two, an<l the Commissioner of Crown Lands in each district to be the chairman." On the motion of Mr A. R. Mayo: " That the Government, be urged to give facilities for trucking fat stock during the mouths of December, •January, and February." "That the. Government be urged to lake such steps ;>s will ensure, the public safety at dangerous railway crossings, many cross-ings being so situated that an approaching train can licit be seen from the roadways until within a few yards of. the c-cssing." " That the agricultural interest, which is the mainstay of the doiminio:i, is most madeijiiaCely represented in the Legislative Council, and that, as the \\'<\«t Coast is unrepresented from Paekakariki to llnwera, the Government be asked to fill the Jirst vacancy by calling to the Legislature a farmer from that district." , L "That this Conference protests against the methods employed by the State Fire Insurance Department, as disclcsed in letters to settlers having advances from the Advances to Sutlers' Department who liave insurances with Farmers' Mutual offices." "Thflt the Government be refrie.sted to keep Crown lands free from such noxious weeds as como nmk-r the First Schedule of the Noxious Weeds Act. A great hard- ••' ip is being placed upon occupiers .!' adjoining lands in having to ].-•.<]) their' properties el'c-ar when ) iU'.s of Government land are cov- <\ with such weeds as blackberry • :1 California)] thistle, as is tho o along the Main Trunk railway ' ! '■ MARTON, May 25. The Fivnners' Union Conference «,.- ;L . n t most of tho morning o,n comi.' Lt-tee work. . The annual meeting ot the Jla.r----v >rs' Mutual Firo Insurance Assodition was held at 9 a.m. Capt: in Hewitt, chairman of direcitors, presided. The annual report showed that new business effected during t! :> year amountod to £45,175, bringing the total amount insured in the association to £134,563, of which 'Jl 1,755 is reinsured. Losses during the year in mounted to only £112, and tire total losses since the formation of the association have been only £713. The whole of the claims l::ive been paid without making any a : T.essmen.t on the premium mote guarantee. On Ist Juno last year tho rate were reduced from 10s to 8y fid on first-class risks, and on ]'-.t January this year rates on .'■■'.•(Mid-class risks were reduced from 14-s to 12s 6d. These reductions had ir.rgely increased the_ association's business. It w>as decided to atecept larger amounts on first-class risks from Ist June this year. The directors were re-elected.